Buffalo Bills News - March 5, 2001

Chargers lure Wiley away from Bills [8:52 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'It was going to take a free-agent market miracle for the Buffalo Bills to be able to retain defensive end Marcellus Wiley. The miracle did not happen.'

Butler's Chargers bound to improve with Wiley [5:53 AM]D and C reports:
'That's easy to do when a hard-luck team is coming off a 1-15 season, will benefit from a fifth-place schedule, and has the rights to the No. 1 pick in April's NFL college draft.'

Free-agent catch Wiley lands with Chargers [5:51 AM]CBS Sportsline reports:
'"Of the teams interested in Marcellus, and those in which he was interested, too, the Chargers seemed to be only one with sufficient cap room. The market is bad right now, and it's going to get worse. We didn't want to still be out there when all the money dried up."'

Chargers reel in coveted free-agent DE Wiley [5:50 AM]CNN/SI reports:
'"Marcellus had certain expectations in terms of money and when he got what he wanted on that front San Diego was his first choice," Blank said. "Marcellus grew up and lives in Los Angeles and the Chargers were the team he wanted to play for."'

Butler turning Chargers around [5:49 AM]Fox Sports reports:
'...the Bills couldn't compete with the Chargers' offer. And, so, on Sunday they looked on helplessly as Wiley signed a six-year deal, the second starter on the team's defensive line to depart in two weeks.'

Wiley agrees to $40 million deal with Chargers [5:47 AM]AP reports:
'"I want to give John Butler all the credit in the world, but the proximity to Los Angeles was huge," Blank said. "Personally, I'd like to keep him on the East Coast, but he's been away from home for a long time."'

March 4, 2001

The ties that bind us to Buffalo [10:17 PM]TBD reports:
'The ties that bind us to Buffalo... What happens when you are forced to leave Buffalo? When the economy is in a slump and taxes are too high and you can't make ends meet without a decent job? You miss those things that make Buffalo great! You miss those things that allow you to call Buffalo HOME no matter where you live.'

Marcellus Wiley signs with Chargers [6:23 PM]NFLTalk.com reports:
'Both defensive end Marcellus Wiley and his agent Brad Blank have told NFLtalk that the top free agent defensive end, possibly the top free agent at any position, is now a San Diego Charger... Wiley's contract is for $40 million over 6 years with a $9 million signing bonus... Just 25 years old, Wiley had a breakout season in 2000 finishing the season with 10.5 sacks despite missing most of the preseason after back surgery... Originally a 2nd round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1997, taken by then general manager John Butler, Wiley had an apprenticeship behind one of the best in the game, Bruce Smith.'

Teams interested in Flutie better do their homework [8:20 AM]CBS Sportsline reports:
'And while Flutie should be held in esteem for overcoming the odds and accomplishing everything he has, there isn't a stop he has made in the past 16 years where he hasn't at least contributed to some degree of friction in the locker room.'

March 3, 2001

Chargers try to woo Wiley [4:44 PM]North County Times reports:
'"It went well,'' Wiley said of the visit, before heading home to Los Angeles. "They don't have much selling to do; I have already researched the situation and it's a team that I have tremendous respect for, despite their record.'

Ex-Bill Wiley exits without Bolts offer [4:42 PM]San Diego Union Tribune reports:
'The Chargers may yet sign Wiley, but their decision not to make him an offer might have been an attempt to keep from bidding against themselves. By allowing Wiley to visit with other teams, the Chargers can see what the market will bear.'

New Titans kicker may be veteran [9:23 AM]Nashville Tennessean reports:
'Tennessee contacted two veteran kickers yesterday, engaging in preliminary conversations that could lead to visits by John Carney and Steve Christie.'

Clearing the air [9:07 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'How important are the Bills to this community? When Donahoe officially made the announcement that Johnson was the man at 7 p.m. Wednesday, the news conference was carried live by Channel 2, Channel 23 (Channel 4's sister station) and Empire. And all three 11 p.m. newscasts led with the Bills' selection.'

Credibility gap [9:00 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Speaking of mistakes, local radio outlets certainly were having a field day with another blunder by WGR-AM on a big Bills story.'

Koshinski admits to muffing Thomas coverage [8:58 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Stop the presses. A broadcasting executive has admitted a mistake. Bob Koshinski, the general manager of the Empire Sports Network, deserves some applause for admitting that he blew it when he decided against carrying Thurman Thomas' retirement as a Buffalo Bill live on Wednesday afternoon.'

Bills, Johnson rework contract [8:56 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Bills saved some more salary cap room by spreading out money in Johnson's contract. The terms were finalized late Thursday night, an NFL source told The News. The Bills now stand about $2.8 million under the NFL salary cap of $67.4 million, according to a source with the NFL Players Association.'

Lighthearted Flutie confident new door will open for him [8:54 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Doug Flutie entered the rotunda of the historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Friday with a bounce in his step and a smile on his face. This hardly looked like a man who had lost the battle to be the Buffalo Bills undisputed starting quarterback to Rob Johnson.'

Flutie glad to be free [8:39 AM]AP reports:
'"I'm not bitter," the 37-year-old quarterback said. "I'm looking at it as a great opportunity for me. For the first time as a free agent in the NFL, I'm not knocking down doors. They're looking for me."'

Wiley, Armstrong top Raiders' shopping list [8:22 AM]Contra Costa Times reports:
'His 2000 sack total was two more than he recorded in his first three seasons combined. The consensus among NFL observers is that Wiley is capable of being a dominant player for many years.'

Flutie enjoys freedom [6:49 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'"The only thing that makes me shake my head is wondering what more could I have done? But they're basically saying they think Rob is better than I am, but that (sense of hurt) basically lasted for two hours. I'm in the driver's seat now."'

March 2, 2001

Wiley visits Chargers [9:13 PM]AP reports:
'Wiley also plans to meet next week with Oakland and Seattle, said his agent Brad Blank. The defensive end has also said he'll give the Bills a chance to re-sign him.'

Chargers move on; is Flutie in plans? [1:28 PM]North County Times reports:
'Butler and Smith have chased Flutie before, when bringing him to the Bills from the CFL three years ago. And while the 5-foot-10 Flutie hasn't grown since, his NFL stature has, after winning 21 of his 30 starts.'

Butler tight-lipped on Bolts' shopping plans [1:24 PM]San Diego Union Tribune reports:
'...the moves could help them make a run at quarterback Doug Flutie and defensive end Marcellus Wiley, both of whom were brought to Buffalo by Butler. In fact, Butler spoke with Wiley's agent, Brad Blank, after the opening of free-agency at 9 PST last night. The two agreed to talk again today to arrange a visit.'

'One hell of a ride' [1:20 PM]Buffalo News reports:
'"As a businessman, this has been one hell of a ride, and I'll be forever grateful to Doug Flutie and Buffalo Bills fans," Ballou said. "But marketing is all about reinventing yourself, so that's what we'll do. Who knows, maybe we'll be back with Flutie Flakes for San Diego or Cleveland, or wherever Doug lands."'

End of the 7-11 debate [8:58 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'It is, to put it mildly, counterintuitive to keep a quarterback who has a starting record of 7-10 over the past three seasons and cut a quarterback who went 21-9 over the same span. But it seems to us the Bills made the right choice.'

Rogers joins cap victims [8:57 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Starting outside linebacker Sam Rogers was cut, as expected, as the Bills made their final moves to get under the $67.4 million salary cap every NFL team had to meet by 4 p.m. Thursday. Rogers, a six-year starter, joins nose tackle Ted Washington as the prime Bills defenders on the waiver wire.'